The best CES insider hacking tips and tricks that save you money, open doors, and turn chance encounters into unforgettable opportunities
The unofficial CES tricks I wish more people knew before arriving in Las Vegas
By Mitch Goldstone, CEO and Chief Photo Archivist, ScanMyPhotos.com
I first went to CES in Las Vegas in 1990. You wouldn’t recognize the place today. Back then, my advice was simple. Bring plenty of business cards. Carry a paper map. Pack extra press kits. Keep change handy for the pay phones. Know where to find a fax machine. Imagine giving someone that advice today?
Some of the biggest technology stories back then included digital audio tape recorders promising better sound. Early HDTV demonstrations made ordinary televisions seem ancient. The massive West Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center wasn’t even there yet. Today, Tesla vehicles whisk attendees through underground tunnels in the LVCC Loop. Waymo is developing driverless cars. Smartphones have replaced nearly everything we used to carry. ChatGPT can even help plan your entire visit.
Imagine telling someone in 1990 that one day they’d climb into a car with nobody behind the wheel. My first question would’ve been, “Who’s paying for the insurance?” My second? “Did you take a gummy?” Of course, recreational cannabis wasn’t legal in Nevada back then either.
Planning for what was once called the Consumer Electronics Show? You could bring a Magic 8 Ball, ask it 50 questions, shake it until your arm falls off, then get “Ask again later.” Or you could just read this. Much easier on the arm. The world’s biggest technology show runs January 6 through 9 in Las Vegas. After attending for all these years, I’ve learned that getting the most out of CES has surprisingly little to do with seeing every product. It’s knowing which questions to ask, whom to meet, where not to waste money, and what to do when someone actually wants to hear from you.
Here are my insider tips for making the most of the annual tech extravaganza in Las Vegas. Some can help you save money before you even leave home, while others may make the trip worthwhile long after you’ve unpacked. And yes, I’ve been to enough of these shows to know that the advice to wear comfortable shoes is spot-on. But I think we can do even better.
The $1,301 Question Before You Register
The early CES Standard Pass is $149 through November 30, 2026, and $349 after that. The early Premium Pass is $1,450, increasing to $1,750 afterward—a $1,301 difference between the early passes. The Standard Pass already includes the exhibits, keynotes, Great Minds sessions, and selected conference programming, while Premium offers broader conference access. Before paying extra, review the sessions you plan to attend. If Standard covers everything on your list, you’ve found the right fit. CES is a trade-only event for qualified attendees age 18 and older, so be sure to check which credentials you’ll need when you register.
One date I’d put on my calendar is December 8. The published cancellation deadline is December 9, 2026. Eligible paid registrations canceled in writing by then are refundable, less a $50 processing fee. After that, the policy says no refunds.
Check the official CES registration information before paying.
Two Questions That Could Change Your Entire CES
- Exhibitors, instead of opening with “Can I help you?”—which often gets a quick “No thanks” as visitors keep walking—try a more inviting question when someone slows down at your booth: “What’s one thing you wish worked better in your business?” This shifts the conversation toward the visitor’s needs rather than your company’s accomplishments, and you may uncover something useful. You might also find that your product isn’t the right fit for that person. Either way, it’s a more engaging start than launching into a speech they didn’t ask for.
- Attendees, here’s your question: “What’s the one thing your product does that nobody else here can do? Show me.” If someone claims to have invented something revolutionary, I’d like to see what makes it different. Ask whether it’s available, what it costs, and when it ships. A remarkable prototype is still a prototype. For AI demonstrations, I have another question: “What happens when it gets something wrong?” I’d be interested in that demonstration too.
Why Spend $500 Scanning Badges if Nobody Follows Up?
This one has bothered me for decades. Exhibitors pay for booth space, displays, electricity, hotels, flights, and staff. Then many pay hundreds more for renting a Maritz SWAP badge-scanning system. Published 2027 package figures have been reported in roughly the $479 to $599 range, depending on equipment and ordering date. Here’s what I find astonishing. After all these years attending trade shows, I can count on one hand the times a company followed up with me within minutes of scanning my badge. Why collect my contact information if you’re not going to use it? If someone asks for information, get permission to send it and do so right away. Not three days later when they’re home trying to remember which company had the interesting demonstration.
Send out an email message with something like: “Great meeting you just now at CES. Here’s the product information you asked for. I’m the person you spoke with at Booth 1234. Reply here if you’d like another look.” That’s plenty. Include the actual information you discussed, NOT a generic company presentation. By dinner, your visitor may have met dozens of other exhibitors. An immediate, relevant message helps them remember the conversation. It also makes it easier to find your contact information when they need it. If they didn’t ask to hear from you, respect that. A badge scan isn’t an excuse for endless marketing emails.
Display Your Company’s Social Addresses and a Giant QR Code Where People Can’t Miss It
If I were exhibiting, I’d want a QR code large enough for someone to scan from the aisle without asking permission to come closer. Above it, I’d put something simple: “Curious? Everything’s Here. No Conversation Required.” The code should open a fast, mobile-friendly page with the full product sheet, specifications, demonstration video, pricing information, availability, and the name of someone who can answer questions. And please don’t demand an email address before allowing people to read the basic information. That gets weird and stops everything. Some of the most interested attendees are also the ones trying to avoid giving out their personal contact info. Having a super prize of either free products or discounts to order should be real and give out many, unless your product is something like the John Deere 460 P-Tier Autonomous Articulated Dump Truck.
I’d give people two reasons to scan. The first is a genuinely useful comparison guide. Show how the product works, what alternatives exist, what it costs, and who it’s designed for. Let people decide whether it’s right for them. The second is something useful they can receive only at the show, such as extended access to a real product trial or a clearly explained CES-only benefit. No fake urgency. No mystery conditions. Test the code on different phones before the doors open. A QR code leading to a broken page isn’t a particularly impressive technology demonstration.
Attendees, Become the Person Who Finds the Interesting Stuff
When you discover a company doing something clever, photograph the booth. Ask before photographing people or private demonstrations. Then post about it while you still remember the details. Not “Amazing innovation at CES!” That could describe practically anything in Las Vegas that week. Tell people what the product did. Mention the person who demonstrated it, if they’re comfortable being named. Explain what surprised you. Tag the company’s verified X, Threads, BlueSky, Insta, TikTok or LinkedIn account so the people you met can see your post.
Here’s the sort of thing I’d write: “I almost walked past [Company Name] today. Glad I didn’t. [Name] showed me [specific feature]. Had to see it twice. @[VerifiedHandle] #CES2027 #FoundAtCES #ShowMeTheFuture.” Use two or three relevant hashtags. Those last two are creative suggestions, not official CES hashtags or claims about what’s trending. I do dozens at each show that I genuinely found OMG interesting. You’re giving smaller companies a little attention they might otherwise never receive. You’re also creating a record of your own discoveries, complete with photographs and names.
I spend my working life at ScanMyPhotos.com helping people preserve old pictures. It would be a little embarrassing if I went to the world’s biggest technology show and came home unable to remember who was in my own photographs.
Let AI Find Companies You’d Never Have Looked For
Here’s a use for ChatGPT and the other chatbots that could be worth more than another hour of wandering the exhibit floor. Open the official CES exhibitor directory. Explain what your business does and who your customers are. Then ask:
“Find CES exhibitors that serve the same customers as my business but offer different products. Suggest unexpected partnerships, explain the connection and provide sources. Maybe you’ll find a business in an industry you’ve never considered. It doesn’t need to sell anything remotely similar to what you sell.
Check every suggestion against the official directory. AI makes mistakes. Booth numbers change. Some companies listed in older sources may not be exhibiting in 2027. When you find a promising match, send a short note before the show. Explain why you’d like to meet and ask for 3-5 minutes. You don’t need a complicated networking strategy. You just need a reason for two people to talk.
Don’t Let ChatGPT Send You Running Across Las Vegas
Las Vegas’s annual showcase of what’s next in tech covers many venues. A meeting at Venetian Expo immediately after one at the Las Vegas Convention Center can turn into a problem if you haven’t allowed time to travel. I would give ChatGPT a list of confirmed appointments, booth locations, and sessions. Ask it to group them geographically, identify conflicts, and leave realistic gaps. Then compare its suggestions with the official CES maps and app. Keep a short note on your phone for each important appointment. Who you’re meeting, where, why you want to talk and the question you most want answered. Nothing fancy. Just enough that you aren’t searching through email while standing in a crowded hallway.
Don’t Walk Past the Small Booths at Eureka Park and Away from the LVCC
Everyone wants to see the enormous LG and Samsung displays and those from other giant technology companies. I do too. But make time for Eureka Park at Venetian Expo. That’s where you’ll find startups, founders, and people still trying to get their inventions noticed. There is also a fantastic world showcase pavilion divided by countries. Some have finished products. Others are working through the problems of turning an idea into a business. Many years ago I met GoPro at a 10′ booth away from everything. It’s a useful reminder that the size of a company’s exhibit tells you very little about where it might end up. Ask a founder what’s been hardest about building the product. You’ll probably learn more than you would from reading another glossy brochure.
At CES Foundry, Ask to See What Goes Wrong
CES Foundry is set for January 6 through 8 at Fontainebleau, with programming focused on artificial intelligence and quantum technology. Think visionary, George Jetson–style ideas about the future. I’m especially curious about what happens when an AI system makes a mistake: Can someone correct it? Can customer information be deleted? And if it gives bad advice, who’s responsible? If you’re watching a robot demonstration, ask whether it can do anything beyond its rehearsed routine. It’s also worth finding out when the product will actually be available, what it’s expected to cost, whether it requires a subscription, and what happens if the company stops supporting it. I love getting a glimpse of the future—and I also like knowing whether it comes with a monthly bill.
Don’t Book a Hotel Until You Know Where You’ll Be
The convention center, Venetian Expo, Fontainebleau, and ARIA aren’t all next door to each other. With Strip traffic, it could take an hour to get where you need to go. I’d identify my most important meetings before booking a room. A hotel that looks cheaper may not be such a bargain if you’re spending half your day getting across Las Vegas. CES uses onPeak as its official hotel booking partner. Compare those rates with booking directly or with an app like HotelsTonight. Check taxes, resort fees, parking, and cancellation rules. If you have hotel loyalty benefits, include those in the comparison. Some companies also hold demonstrations in private hotel suites or invitation-only meeting rooms. If you’re traveling specifically to see something, confirm the location before arriving.
Get Your Badge Before Heading to the Show
CES requires attendees to pick up their own badges at approved locations before entering the event. Bring a government-issued photo ID and your registration confirmation. A registration photo is also required. Airport or hotel pickup may be convenient, depending on your arrival time. Check the official pickup locations and hours before traveling. And don’t show up with a rolling suitcase. General attendees are limited to two small bags, each smaller than 12 by 17 by 6 inches. Rolling bags aren’t allowed under the general attendee rules. That would be an annoying way to begin your CES.
Before Paying for Dinner, Photograph the Bill
You’ve had dinner after a long day. The bill arrives. Someone adds a tip without noticing that an automatic gratuity may already be included. Photograph the itemized receipt. Cover sensitive payment details, then ask ChatGPT:
“Check this restaurant bill for duplicate charges, automatic gratuities, service fees and math errors. Tell me if a tip is already included. Calculate 18%, 20%, and 22% tips on the pretax food and drink subtotal, excluding fees. Show the totals and flag anything unclear. Check the results yourself. AI can misread receipts or get the arithmetic wrong. If something looks unusual, ask the restaurant to explain it before paying. An unfamiliar fee isn’t automatically improper.
Cut The Taxi Line
One of my favorite CES hacks might get me in trouble with the people standing in the taxi line. When the line is ridiculously long, I walk up to someone near the front. “Heading to the convention center? Mind if I pay for your taxi if we share the ride?” Suddenly, I’m on my way to CES instead of standing around waiting. The person gets a free ride. I get to meet someone new. We’ve got the whole trip to talk about what brought us to Las Vegas. Who knows? The person sharing your taxi might turn out to be the most interesting person you meet all day. Of course, this only works if they’re happy to share.
Exhibitors, Check What You’ve Already Paid For
Before buying extra services, open your CES Exhibitor Dashboard. Published exhibitor benefits include complimentary exhibitor badges based on booth size, directory listings, promotional resources, and customer invitation opportunities. Some invitations provide registration discounts rather than automatically free admission, so check the terms. Think about the people you’d most like to meet. Invite them before the show. Give them a reason to stop by and offer a specific time.
And read the official exhibitor manual before shipping anything. Freight handling, electrical work, installation and equipment requirements can add costs you weren’t expecting. Have a backup demonstration ready if your internet connection fails. If your product can’t work offline, an accurate recording is better than standing there apologizing while someone waits. CES also warns that it doesn’t sell attendee lists. Be suspicious of unsolicited emails claiming to offer them.
Ask Attendees Something You Can’t Learn Sitting in Your Office
If you’re developing a product, CES gives you an opportunity to speak with people who might eventually use it. Ask something you genuinely want to know. Don’t word the question to encourage the answer you’re hoping for. Keep track of what people say. If you share the results publicly, explain how many people participated and how you selected them. A small, informal survey at CES isn’t representative of the entire country. Still, an unexpected answer could give you something worth researching after you return home.
Which CES Transportation Options Are Free?
The LVCC Loop has traditionally provided complimentary transportation between convention center halls. The separate Vegas Loop serves additional locations, where some trips may require payment. CES also operates designated shuttle routes. The Las Vegas Monorail, at a low rate, serves the convention center and several Strip hotels, but it doesn’t stop directly at Venetian Expo. Check the current CES transportation maps and schedules before traveling. Group meetings by venue whenever possible. If you’re using a rideshare service, check the designated pickup area before requesting the car. It may not be near the door where you exited.
Don’t Save Something Important for Saturday
CES runs Wednesday, January 6, through Saturday, January 9. The main exhibits open at 10 a.m. on Wednesday and 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, and they close at 4 p.m. on Saturday. By then, you may be feeling exhausted and ready for a break. Keep in mind that not every program runs through Saturday: CES Foundry and C Space programming both wrap up on Friday. Before booking your return flight, check the date of any sessions you especially want to attend.
Leave One Hour Unplanned
Here’s something I’ve learned after decades of attending CES. Don’t fill every minute with appointments. Give yourself an hour each day to wander into a hall you hadn’t planned to visit. You may find a company you’d never heard of. You may end up talking to someone who changes your plans for the rest of the day. Some of my favorite CES discoveries weren’t on my schedule. What’s the one CES trick you wish someone had told you years ago? Send it to me. I’ll add the most useful suggestions to this guide, with credit.
Disclaimer
This is an independent, unofficial guide and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by CES or the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). Event details, prices, schedules, and policies may change, so please verify current information at CES.tech before making plans. The tips and opinions shared are based on the author’s experience and are provided for general informational purposes only.
[Revised on October 10, 2026]
